Container

ABSTRACT

A container ( 2 ) and closure ( 4 ) arrangement where the container includes a closure displacement lever ( 16 ) to assist a user with removal of the closure. The lever is pivotally connected to the container at one end ( 20 ) and the other end ( 18 ) is free for manipulation by a user. In use, a skirt of the closure sits over part of the lever, so that movement of the free end of the lever in a direction away from the container exerts a force on the skirt to facilitate removal of the closure from the container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a device used to aid the opening of acontainer. Specifically the present invention may be adapted to aid auser trying to open a container, and in some embodiments may includetamper evident features which provide an indication when the containerhas been tampered with.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the presentinvention being used to open paint pails. However, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other applications (such asfood containers) are envisioned for the present invention and referenceto the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seenas limiting.

BACKGROUND ART

Containers that have tightly fitted lids have numerous uses inindustrial applications. For example, in the paint manufacturing andretailing trade, containers with airtight and strongly engaged lids areessential to ensure that paint does not spoil through exposure to air,or spill easily if a container is dropped or knocked. Similarconsiderations apply to containers that carry foodstuffs, or chemicals.

As paint rims and lids need to engage tightly a screwdriver or othersimilar separate hand tool is usually required to open the container.Such tools are not always readily available to a user when a containerneeds to be opened, so it would be advantageous to provide the openingdevice as part of the container.

When using a hand tool such as a screwdriver, the end of the tool isinserted into the small gap between the rim and the lid, then pressureis applied to lever these two components apart. This may damage anddestroy the tight seal between the rim and lid, thereby possiblyallowing for air to degrade the container's contents over time. Openingthe container with a hand tool can also destroy the tight engaging fitbetween the lid and rim, and again allow the contents of the containerto spill if knocked or tipped over.

One attempt to address this problem is discussed in German Patent No. DE3734051.

This patent specification describes an attachment or moulding formed asan integral part to the lid of the container. The additional mouldingconsists of handle that protrudes down from the lid to the side or sidesof a container, and may be used to pull the lid off the container.

However, this type of device is relatively large and expensive to formwithin a lid. It is also unattractive and obtrusive when compared withother lid designs.

Some containers also benefit from the provision of a tamper evidentmeans. These indicate when a container has been opened and hencetampered with. A tamper evident means can assure the end user that thepaint they are buying has not been tampered with.

An improved container opening apparatus which solved any or all of theabove problems would be of great advantage over the prior art.Specifically a lid opening device that could be used easily to open acontainer, which could be formed at a relatively low cost, whichprovided tamper evidence and which incorporated an attractive designwould be of advantage over the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container andclosure arrangement that will address the foregoing problems or at leastto provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the ensuring description which is given by way of exampleonly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided acontainer and closure therefor; the container including

a base,

a rim surrounding an opening to the container, at least onecircumferential wall extending from the base to the rim,

a closure displacement lever having a connected end and a free end, theconnected end being connected to the out side of the circumferentialwall at or below the rim, the free end being capable of manipulation bya user to pivot the lever about the connected end;

the closure including

container engagement means to engage with the rim of the container inuse, and

a skirt projecting below the container engagement means,

a lower edge of the skirt being located adjacent to the lever andwhereby movement of the free end of the lever facilitates removal of theclosure.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of operating a container substantially as describedabove.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of removing a closure from a container, the containerhaving a base, a rim surrounding an opening to the container, at leastone circumferential wall extending from the bass to the rim,

a closure displacement lever pivotally connected to the rim or to a partof the circumferential wall adjacent to the rim,

the method comprising the steps of

pivoting the lever about the pivotal connection to disengage at least apart of the closure from the container, and

removing the remainder of the closure from the container.

In a preferred aspect the free end of the lever is located below theconnected end, and the lower edge of the skirt is located below theconnected end of the lever when the closure is engaged with thecontainer.

In a preferred aspect the relative positions of the connected end, thecontainer engagement means and the lower edge of the skirt are such thatinitial movement of the free end of the lever away from thecircumferential wall results in a substantial outward movement of thelower edge of the skirt away from the circumferential wall to facilitatedisengagement of the container engagement means.

In another preferred aspect further movement of the free end about theconnected end results in an upward movement of the skirt to facilitateseparation of the closure from the container.

In another preferred aspect a frangible connection is provided betweenthe container and the lever, whereby movement of the fever in use breaksthe frangible connection.

a flange is provided surrounding the circumferential wall closelyadjacent to the lower edge of the skirt, and the lever forms part of theflange.

In another preferred aspect the flange is discontinuous at either sideof the lever, and the lever conforms to the shape of the flange.

In another preferred aspect the flange includes an upwardly projectingperipheral wall, which extends above the lower edge of the skirt.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a container that includes a tamper evident means that indicateswhen the container has been opened.

A container configured in accordance with the present invention may beany device or apparatus that is adapted to contain a volume of material.Such a container may be constructed from metal, plastic, wood or otherany material that is useful in the particular application required forthe container.

A container configured in accordance with the present invention may be avariety of shapes.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to thecontainer being formed from moulded plastic, and being of a generallycylindrical shape. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that other materials and shapes may be used in the constructionof the present invention and reference to the above only throughout thisspecification should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment a container includes a body which is adaptedto contain a volume of material. The body of the container allows it toperform its main function by holding or retaining a volume of materialin place.

In a preferred embodiment a body may be adapted to contain a volume ofpaint. This application for the invention allows it to be used tocontain volumes of paint in a sturdy, secure and airtight apparatus.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the presentinvention being adapted to contain paint. However, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that a container configured inaccordance with the present invention may be used to contain othermaterials if required. For example, in other embodiments a container maybe adapted to contain oil, cereal grains, medical powders, foodproducts, ointments, dairy products or any other number of differenttypes of materials if required.

In a preferred embodiment the body may be formed into any shape withside walls, a closed bottom end and an open top end. The body may beconfigured as a cylinder, cube or any other shape that may be used as aneffective container. This shape may form the basis of a pail or tub,which is commonly used to store and contain paint.

In a preferred embodiment the container includes a rim which may bedefined as the top edge or surface at or adjacent to the open end of thecontainer.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention includes a closure. Theclosure may be adapted to engage with the rim of a container to closeand seal the container. Both the closure and the container may includespecifically moulded or shaped flanges, protrusions, or edges to allowthese two elements to be removably engaged to each other. Those skilledin the art should appreciate that known technology may be used to thisaim and as such will not be described in detail in the specification.

This configuration of the invention's closure ensures that there will bea tight fit between the two elements once they are engaged together. Theconnection between the lid and the rim may also be strong enough toprevent the user from easily opening the container with their barehands.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention includes a lever. Alever may be defined as any type of element or apparatus that may beused to disengage the closure from the rim.

In a preferred embodiment the lever may be formed as an integral part ofthe container. In such an embodiment the container and lever may bemoulded and formed as a single integral component, thereby simplifyingthe manufacture of the apparatus and also substantially reducing itsoverall cost.

Reference throughout this specification will now be made to the leverbeing integrally moulded into the container. However, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other configurations to thepresent invention are envisioned and reference to the above onlythroughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment the lever may be pivoted through an arc todisengage the closure from the container. By pivoting the lever it canapply a torque or turning force on an edge of the closure and therebyforce one end of the closure off the container. A levering advantagewill be provided by the user placing force on the and of a lever andpivoting same. It is envisaged that the lever could be of any practicallength.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the leverbeing pivoted to disengage the closure from the container. However, itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art the other movements ofthe lever may be used to disengage these two components and reference tothe above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen aslimiting.

In a preferred embodiment the lever may include a projecting bar. Thisbar may project from the container and have a free and and a connectedend. The free end may project away from the container while theconnected end may be connected to a section of the container orcircumferential wall. In a further preferred embodiment the connectedand of the projecting bar may be pivotably connected to the container orcircumferential wall. This may be accomplished by using a specificthickness of plastic or type of plastic to engage the two elementstogether. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that numerousdifferent known methods of manufacture may be used to achieve thisparticular aim and as such have not been discussed in detail in thisspecification.

In a preferred embodiment the connected end of a projecting bar may beconnected to the rim or the body at a point both vertically andlaterally displaced from the position of the free end of the projectingbar. In such an embodiment the pivotal connection of the bar to the rimor body ensures that when the lever is pivoted, it places both avertical and horizontal force on to a lid, thereby pushing the lidupwards as wed as sideways off the rim.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may be adapted toprovide a tamper evident means to indicate when the container has beenopened. In such an embodiment this tamper evident means provides theeventual user with some assurances as to whether their purchase has beentampered with or damaged through exposure to air.

In a preferred embodiment the integral moulding of the lever to thecontainer may provide a tamper evident means to the container. As thesetwo components are moulded from a single piece, the integral connectionsbetween the container and either side of the lever will at least in partengage the lever with the container. If a person wishes to use the leverto open the container, they must sever or break these connecting areasand hence show that the container has been tampered with.

In a preferred embodiment the sides of the lever may be connected to thecontainer through sections of relatively thin or weak plastic whencompared to the plastic used in the construction of the lever oradjacent areas of the container such as the flange. These plasticsections may be perforated or continuous so as to be easily broken ortorn if someone wishes to move the lever away from its originalposition.

In a preferred embodiment the closure and container may be adapted toremovably engage with one another so that the lid cannot be removed fromthe container without the use of some sort of levering tool—be itintegrated into the container or a separate component such as ascrewdriver. In such an embodiment of a hand tool may also cause damageto the container as it is used to lever the closure off and hence againshow that the container has been tampered with. The fit between theclosure and the container may be such that as there is a very littlespace between these two components there is a high likelihood of damageoccurring to either one if such a hand held levering tool is used.

In a preferred embodiment the container may also include a substantiallyhorizontal projecting flange in the area of the circumferential wallwhere the bottom edge of the closure is located in use. The provision ofsuch a flange or ledge in this position makes it relatively difficultfor someone to gain access to the bottom of the closure. The flange orledge provided on the container stops a screwdriver or other hand toolbeing easily inserted into the gap between the container and theclosure. If a screwdriver or other hand tool is used by someone to gainaccess to the bottom of the closure, the projecting flange will veryprobably be deformed, showing that the container has been tampered with.

In a further preferred embodiment the flange may also include asubstantially horizontal projection or ledge similar to that discussedabove, which also includes a channel. The ledge may be positioned andconfigured so that when a lever is used, the channel causes the ledge todeform and bend through an angle. This feature of the invention providesthe container with an additional tamper evident means, as anyprospective customer can clearly see if a container has been tamperedwith if this horizontal ledge or flange is bent out of shape.

The present invention may provide some significant advantages overexisting containers.

A container configured in accordance with the present invention may beeasily opened by the user with their bare hands. With the presentinvention there is no need for someone to use an additional tool such asa screwdriver or a knife to force a closure off the rim.

The present invention may also be adapted to provide a tamper evidentmeans to alert the user if the container has been interfered with.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of theinvention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and thedescriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to bein any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructionsof which the following gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description which is given by way of example only and withreference to the accompanying drawings in which.

FIG. 1 shows a container with the lid on configured in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a view of a container body, rim, lid and lever with no lidin place configured in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 3-5 show partial cross sectional views of one side of thecontainer shown in the preceding figures from a closed position to aposition where the closure is substantially removed from the container,and

FIG. 6 shows a container configured in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention with further tamper combatingfeatures; and

FIG. 7 shows a container configured in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the present invention again showing further tampercombating features.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a container configured in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

These figures show a container, generally referenced 1 that includes abody generally referenced 2 adapted to contain a volume of material(which in this embodiment is paint). As shown in FIG. 1, de containeralso includes a lid or closure generally referenced 3 that is configuredso as to be removably engaged with the top of the body 2. Paint may besecurely stored within the container 1 when the lid 4 is placed upon thebody 2 and engaged therewith.

The body 2 generally comprises a base 6, an upper rim 10 that defines anopening to the container, and a sidewall 8 between the base and the rim.In the embodiment illustrated there is a single substantiallycylindrical circumferential wall, but it will be seen that the containercould be provided in other shapes, so a plurality of sidewalls could beprovided.

A flange 12 is provided below the rim, and in the embodiment shown theflange is contoured to make a close fit with at least the lower edge ofa skirt 14 of the closure.

The container 1 also includes a lever 16 attached to the circumferentialwall in an area adjacent to the rim and preferably between the flangeand the rim. In the embodiments shown the lever is attached to thecontainer by being moulded as an integral part thereof. The lever 16 isconfigured from a projecting bar mat has a free end 18 that may begrasped and manipulated by a user, and a connected end 20 that isconnected to the circumferential wall of the container.

FIGS 1 and 2 also show how the container 1 can be provided with a tamperevident means. As in these embodiments the free end of lever 16 isconfigured as an integral part of the flange 12, each of the side edges22 and 24 of the lever 16 is connected to the flange via a relativelyweak strip or length of plastic. When the lever 16 is used to open thecontainer these connecting strips are severed, thereby indicating thatthe container has been tampered with.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional side view of part of the container andclosure configured in accordance with FIG. 1. As can be seen from FIG.3, the body of lever 16 substantially coincides with the flange 12 andmay be formed as an integral part thereof. The connected end 20 of thelever is connected to the wall above the upper edge 26 of the flange,but may be connected at the same point as the upper edge 26 if desired.The lever is preferably, but not necessarily, moulded as an integralpart of the container and flange and the connection between the leverand the wall of the container is formed by a weakened bridge ofgeometric form sufficient to allow pivotal movement despite beingattached to the curved wall of the container.

The connected end 20 of the lever is connected to the wall at a pointsubstantially laterally and vertically offset to the free end 18. Theconnection of the lever to the rim at the connected end 20 is configuredso that the lever may be pivoted upwards using the connected end 20 as apivot point.

The flange is supported relative to the wall by ribs 28 that have aprofiled lower edge to assist stacking empty containers. The lower edge30 prevents the rim of a lower empty container from becoming jammedunderneath the flange 12.

The rim 10 includes an outwardly projecting bead 32 for engaging withthe closure as described further below.

The closure has an inverted channel 34 that locates over the rim 10 inuse. A lower edge of the channel 34 includes an inwardly projecting bead36 that is designed to fit under the bead 32. The arrangement in useholds the closure in a firm sealing engagement with the container.

The flange 12 includes a recess 40 into which the skirt 14 fits closely.The close fit makes it difficult to use a tool such as a screwdriver toprise off the lid, particularly without causing visible damage to theadjacent surfaces.

The operation of the lever will now be described. As can be seen fromFIG. 3, there is a space generally referenced 42 between the wall andthe free end of the lever. A user may insert a finger (or a tool ifdesired) into space 42 to pull the free end substantially laterally awayfrom the wall in the direction indicated by arrow 44. This causes thefree end of the lover to pivot about the connected end. The movement isillustrated in FIG. 4.

Turning to FIG. 4, the initial movement of the lever causes the body ofthe lever to contact the lower edge 46 of the skirt 14, pulling theskirt away from the flange. This in turn causes the bead 36 to be pulledaway from bead 32 to disengage the nearby area of the closure from therim.

Turning now to FIG. 5, further rotation of the lover eventually causes asubstantially vertical movement causing the skirt to be lifted, whichlifts the closure, or at least the area of the closure near the lever,from the rim.

It will be seen that the design of the lever provides the advantage thatthe closure engagement (beads 32 and 36) are disengaged first, then theclosure is pushed upwardly for removal. Disengagement of the beads 32and 36 assists removal of the closure, since the force required to liftthe closure by dragging bead 36 past bead 32 is much greater than thatrequired if bead 36 is firstly pulled out past bead 32.

A significant advantage provided by the lever is that the lever isdesigned to remain attached to the container i.e. the lever does not addto the waste stream.

To enable the lever to work by means of a pulling action i.e. pullingthe skirt away from the container, the connected end is best providedabove the lower edge of the skirt. The connected end may be provided atany position above the skirt that sill enables the lever to function.However, we have found that the action of the lever to initially pullthe skirt outwardly away from the container is assisted by the connectedend of the lever being provided at least as high as approximatelymid-way or between the lower edge of the skirt and the closureengagement bead. This arrangement allows a substantial initial lateraloutward motion away from the container before the pivoting motion of thelever begins a substantial vertical upward motion.

It will be seen that the lever could be arranged in other ways. Forexample, although not shown in the drawings, the lever could bepivotally connected at some midpoint to one or more of the support ribs,so that a force on the base of the lever in a direction toward thecircumferential wall will cause the upper part of the lever to push theskirt outwardly to facilitate disengagement.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a container configured in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Features of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 that correspond tothe same or similar features in the foregoing embodiments have the samereference numerals.

FIG. 6 shows a container configured in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. The container shown issubstantially similar to that discussed with respect to the precedingfigures but differs in the fact that the flange 12 also includes asubstantially horizontally projecting ledge 50.

The ledge 50 is adapted to interfere with or partially cover theinterface between the skirt lower edge 46 and the rim flange. The ledge50 makes it relatively difficult for anyone to place a hand tool such ascrewdriver between the lid and the rim thereby reducing the chances ofanyone being able to tamper with the container without leaving someevidence of such activity.

The container shown in FIG. 7 includes a channelled section 52 on theflange to capture the lower edge 46 of the closure skirt. Thesubstantially vertical section 54 limits access to the lower edge 46 ofthe skirt, making it difficult to remove the closure without using thelever.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, an area of weakening 56 may beprovided in the ledge 50 or in the base of channelled section 52. Thisallows the ledge 50 or the vertical section 54 in the vicinity of thelever to be bent or broken away in use. Thus, as the lever is lifted,the lower edge of the closure skirt may ride down the body of the leverwithout being substantially impeded by the ledge or by the verticalsection 54.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions maybe made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

What we claim is:
 1. A container and closure therefor, comprising: acontainer comprising: a base; a rim surrounding an opening to thecontainer; at least one circumferential wall extending from the base tothe rim; and a closure displacement lever integrally molded into thecontainer having a connected end and a free end, the connected end beingconnected to the outside of the circumferential wall at or below therim, the free end being capable of manipulation by a user to pivot thelever about the connected end; and a closure comprising: a containerengagement means to engage with the rim of the container in use; and askirt projecting below the container engagement means, a lower edge ofthe skirt being located adjacent to the lever and wherein movement ofthe free end of the lever facilitates removal of the closure.
 2. Thecontainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container includes a tamperevident means that indicates when the container has been opened.
 3. Thecontainer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tamper evident meansincludes a frangible connection provided between the container and thelever, wherein movement of the lever in use breaks the frangibleconnection.
 4. The container and closure as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe sides of the lever may be connected to the container throughsections of relatively thin plastic.
 5. The container and closure asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the sections can be selected from the groupcomprising perforated and continuous sections.
 6. The container andclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange is discontinuous ateither side of the lever and the lever conforms to the shape of theflange.
 7. The container and closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein thelever is provided with a recess into which the skirt fits closely. 8.The container and closure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange isprovided surrounding the circumferential wall closely adjacent to thelower edge of the skirt, and the lever forms part of the flange.
 9. Thecontainer and closure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flange includesa ledge and an upwardly projecting peripheral wall, which extends fromthe ledge above the lower edge of the skirt.
 10. The container andclosure as claimed in claim 9, wherein an area of weakness is providedin the ledge, said area of weakness being in the vicinity of theupwardly projecting peripheral wall in the vicinity of the lever andsaid area of weakness being selected from the group comprising bendingand breaking away.
 11. The container and closure as claimed in claim 8,wherein the flange includes a substantially horizontally projectingledge.
 12. The container and closure as claimed in claim 11, wherein theledge is adapted to interfere with the interface between the skirt andthe flange.
 13. The container and closure as claimed in claim 11,wherein an area of weakness is provided in the ledge, said area ofweakness being in the vicinity of the lever and said area of weaknessbeing selected from the group comprising bending and breaking away. 14.A method of removing a closure from a container, the container having abase, a rim surrounding an opening to the container, at least onecircumferential wall extending from the base to the rim, a frangibleconnection provided between the container and the lever, a closuredisplacement lever pivotally connected to the rim or to a part of thecircumferential wall adjacent to the rim, the method comprising thesteps of: pivoting the lever about the pivotal connection to break thefrangible connection followed by pivoting the lever about the pivotalconnection to disengage at least part of the closure from the container,and removing the remainder of the closure from the container.
 15. Acontainer and closure therefor, the container comprising: a base; a rimsurrounding an opening to the container; at least one circumferentialwall extending from the base to the rim; a closure displacement leverhaving a connected end and a free end, the connected end being connectedto the outside of the circumferential wall at or below the rim, the freeend being capable of manipulation by a user to pivot the lever about theconnected end; the closure comprising: container engagement means toengage with the rim of the container in use; and a skirt projectingbelow the container engagement means, a lower edge of the skirt beinglocated adjacent to the lever and whereby movement of the free end ofthe lever facilitates removal of the closure, wherein a flange isprovided surrounding the circumferential wall closely adjacent to thelower edge of the skirt, and the lever forms part of the flange.
 16. Thecontainer and closure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the flange isdiscontinuous at either side of the lever, and the lever conforms to theshape of the flange.
 17. The container and closure as claimed in claim15, wherein the flange includes an upwardly projecting peripheral wall,which extends above the lower edge of the skirt.